The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-12-09

A FAVORABLE CHARGE FAILS TO SAVE
JOHN MOST FROM JAIL.

He Gives His Version of His Speech at
Kreamer's Hnn-Record OF HIS Past
Life-Gould. Sage and Other Capitalists
the Real Foreigners According to Edi-
tor schcv!tch, the Soc a,'st
NEW York, Nov. 9-When the trial OF
Johann Most was resumed Tuesday morning,
Most was put on the witness stand to testify
In his own behalf. After stating that he was
born in Bavaria Al years ago, he denied that
he had threatened the executioner OF the An
archists in Chicago or any one else. The
meeting at Kraemer's hall, at which the al
legged seditious speech WAS made, was he said
public one. Mr.. Schultzs was the chair
man and not Schenck, as the policeman tes-
titled. He addressed his hearers, he said as
"Fellov citizens" and not as Anarchists. Hs
then went on to give his version OF the speech.
1t lacked the threats and violent language he
is charged with having uttered. "On the
cry of revenge being uttered in the audi
ence," he went ON, ~ said not now. The
capitalists are arrayed against us. We are
here to accuse, and l accuse Grinnell,
Gary and the judges Of the muir.
der" He Lad described Powderly as
an instrument in the ex cuton by not taking
sides with the condemned men. Then, too,
there was Henry George. "He is narrow
minded and not wise, but he ought to be
clever enough to know the difference be-
tween right and wrong. and should have
enlisted sympathy for the men,"
He was not sure that he said he would give
ten years of his life to know the hangman,
and that he would strange him. He had
never said that Tor every man killed in Chi
no o1a IN
examination Assistant District Attorney
Nlcoll questioned Most ON the record of his
past life. Theprisoner said he had been con-
victed of treason i'm Austria in 1859, and had
been imprisoned one year. In 1870 he was
again convicted in that country OF the same
crime and got a five years sentence, but
gained his liberty in 1871 through an amnesty
granted political prisoners. In 1872 he was
sentenced to years imprisonment in Berlin
for calling the emperor OF Germany
''slaughterern In 1874 he was sentenced TO
one year and six months imprisonment for
speech made in Berlin OH the memorial day
OF the Paris commune. In 1877 he was sem
fenced in Berlin to two months imprison-
ment for blasphemy. In 1881 he was sem
fenced in England to eighteen mouths inn
prisonment for applauding in the Freiheit the
killing of the car. When he got out OF prison
there he came to this country and has since
remained here. The witness admitted hav-
ing written book on "Free Society,"" "rhe
He'll of Blackwelps Island" and 9th
ers. On being asked whether he
had written book on the "Art OF
Revolutionary Warfare" or whether he be-
lieved that modern explosives were necessary
to carry out his ideas, be refused ~ answer
as IL might tend to crimnate him. Mosts
definition OF Anarchy was an extended one
He described himself as Communistic An
archist He said it took him ten years to
understand Anarchy. Anarchists desired
the overthrow OF the present form OF govern
ment. He thought the present powers OF the
state would be destroyed when the people
grew stronger.
Judge Cowng instructed the jury. He said
free speech did not include SANDER or incite-
ment to riot but that he failed to fad any
thing in the speech of Most as he gave it at
the trial that came within the statute.
The jury went out at 5:%' p M, and re-
turned at 10 p. m with verdict of guilty"
The verdict created general surprise, as
the prevailing impression had been that
the evidence was insufficient The judges
charge was also considered to be in Most's
favor Mr.. Howe moved for a new trial, and
argument on the motion will be heard next
Monday. Sentence was therefore deferred.
Most will be locked up in the Tombs until the
question of a new trial is decid ID.
On the first ba lot the jury stood seven for
acquittal AMI five for conviction. After
several ballots it bscam, six To six. Finally
the six for acquittal gave in. 1t took three
hours to change tho first man from acquittal
to conviction The rest followed more rap
idly